Born in 1950, Stevland Hardaway Judkins (later, Stevland Hardaway Morris) was a child prodigy who landed his first recording contract at age 11. At this time the label, Tamla (a Motown subsidiary), gave him his stage name, Little Stevie Wonder. In 1963, age 13, he became the youngest artist ever (a record that still stands) to have a number one hit record on the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. That song was Fingertips, and it simultaneously topped the R&B chart, a first.
Wonder’s voice began to change shortly afterwards, effectively cancelling his hit-making abilities for a couple of years. Once his voice had matured, he sounded like an adult. The label dropped “Little” from his name, and beginning in 1965 he enjoyed a long string of hit tunes.
Today, at 72 years old, he’s a living legend and an icon of Motown. Here’s a playlist of Stevie Wonder’s biggest hits from the peak of his career. These are all classics. Great stuff.
1965
Uptight (Everything’s Alright) (2:55)
1966
A Place in the Sun (2:53)
1967
I Was Made to Love Her (2:39)
1968
For Once in My Life (2:51)
1969
My Cherie Amour (2:54)
1969
Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday (3:03)
1970
Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours (2:42)
1971
If You Really Love Me (3:01)
1972
Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You) (3:34)
1972
Superstition (4:26)
1973
You Are the Sunshine of My Life (2:59)
1973
Higher Ground (3:12)
1973
Living for the City (7:23)
1974
Don’t You Worry ’bout a Thing (4:46)
1974
You Haven’t Done Nothin’ (3:23)
1974
Boogie On Reggae Woman (4:56)
1976
I Wish (4:32)
1976
Isn’t She Lovely (6:35)
1977
Sir Duke (3:53)
1979
Send One Your Love (4:02)